Saxony Lutheran girls’ volleyball coach Dawn Ozark faced a few challenges this season, primarily a roster of only 11 varsity players — six of them underclassmen — plagued almost from the start with injuries, along with a midseason eight-game losing streak that could have proved devastating.
In the end, thanks to some hard work from both the coaching staff and the players, the Lady Crusaders (18- 21) surmounted those obstacles to not only claim a district title — their first since 2023 — but also advance to the Class 3 state finals for the first time in school history, finishing fourth after a 3-0 loss to second-place finisher Mount Vernon in the semifinal round and another 3-0 loss to Oak Grove in the third-place game.
“Being able to kind of put it all together toward the end of the season, when everyone was back and healthy and really make a run for it was exciting,” Ozark said. “It’s something that I think these girls and myself will remember for quite some time.”
Ozark said the real work began long before the season started.
“I think everything to get to that point kind of started over the summer and last spring when we really worked hard,” Ozark said. “We were in the weight room twice a week, and then really utilizing our summer contact days well and preparing ourselves for the season. I think that was a true testament to the athletes that when we did experience injury, we were able to kind of pull together and still be competitive.”
Saxony’s injury troubles began during their preseason jamboree, leaving the team shorthanded for nearly a month and a half at the beginning of the season.
“We spent most of the season injured, one athlete or another,” Ozark said. “We had up to four at one time that were unable to compete. I think while that truly tested us this season, I think it then prepared us for that postseason run.”
Dealing with those issues, the Lady Crusaders still managed a record of 11-14, including that eight-game losing streak that lasted from Sept. 16 through Sept. 29, along with a streak-breaking second-place finish in the SEMO Conference tournament.
“When we went on our eight-game losing streak, I think there was just a lot of, ‘How are we going to do this? Where are we going to end up? You know, how are things logistically going to look toward the end of the year?’ But for me as a coach, I knew what with this group of young women could do, both individually and as a team.
“I think that was the thing that kept me focused and me driven, is that knowing that once we were back and healthy, we were going to be a force. And I think you know, I think that solidified, like I said, when we played the SEMO Conference tournament, we had most of our athletes who were just coming back. For us to take second place, beating the teams that we did to meet Jackson in that championship game, I think that’s when a lot of individuals kind of really saw what maybe we were capable of.
“And then after that, it just kind of was on from there.
The Lady Crusaders lost only one set in the Class 3, District 1 tournament, dropping one to top-seeded Kennett in the championship round. A pair of 3-0 sweeps over Potosi and Lutheran South landed them in the state finals.
“I think that we had some really wins and we went into districts very confident, very healthy, ready to compete, and then our postseason was one for the storybooks. Sweeping the defending state champs in Potosi in that state sectional game, I think, really caught the attention of individuals in and around our community that we were a solid team and, like I always thought, once we were healthy, we were definitely going to be a force. That proved it there. And then another sweep of Lutheran South to make it to that final four. And while we got to the final four, we didn’t do exactly what we wanted, but I think it gave us the ability to meet some really great teams.
The Lady Crusaders also racked up some good individual performances. Sophomore Kinley Couch led the team in kills with 264, followed by freshman Brielyn Korn with 153, senior Ryleigh Manche with 119, and sophomore Kendall McDowell with 110. Korn had 40 aces, McDowell had 36, and senior Tali Renshaw had 31. At the net, Korn had 45 total blocks, while Manche had 35. Sophomore Lynlee Smith led the team in digs with 268, while McDowell had 188. Senior Lauren Birk finished the season with 309 assists, and McDowell had 257.
Challenges and all, Ozark said a fourth-place finish at state was a good way to wrap up her first season as a head coach.
“I’m very excited,” Ozark said. “I think you know, initially, when it was brought to my attention that this was going to be a possibility, praying about it and wanting to give it my all on and off the court, I think the first season was extremely exciting. It’s a lot of work. I think any head coach in this area, they would agree. That’s the behind-the-scenes that a lot of people maybe don’t see or aren’t aware of. I think that’s what makes coaching extremely rewarding.
“It’s an exciting endeavor for sure.”
